Scrapbooking Game

ABSTRACT

A scrapbooking board game having a game board with a continuous travel path divided into stations having markings, including instructions for the completion of a scrapbooking layout and/or interactions with other players, through inherent messages, keyed relationships to cards containing or displaying messages and/or images, and/or one or more chance-controlled devices. Movement of a game-piece along the travel path is determined by a chance-controlled device. When a player completes the instructions associated with a given station on which the player&#39;s game-piece then currently resides, the player marks the completion of that space&#39;s respective instructions by way of a token. The method of determining a winner is variable, but is generally determined by whichever player completes the most challenges within a given time period.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/823537, filed May 15, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to a system and a method for developing, communicating, and inspiring layout designs for individuals engaging in the art and science of preserving images in embellished fashion, commonly referenced by the term “scrapbooking”, though not limited to that specific use or any particular definition.

Throughout this application and related documents, the term “scrapbooking” is used to refer to the aforementioned activity, the term “scrapbooker” is used to refer to an individual who participates or engages in a scrapbooking activity, and the term “scrapbook” is used to refer to a design or collection of designs that have been created during a scrapbooking activity. These three terms are not limited to any stricter definition as might exist in any established industry, society, or technical language, and are used solely to facilitate the explanations of this invention within this application and related documentation.

As in many, if not all activities that utilize human creativity, time, energy, and mental fixation can frustrate progress or production, such as when a writer encounters “writer's block”. This invention is designed to assist an individual scrapbooker or group of scrapbookers in minimizing the effects of such frustration by providing direction, inspiration, and pre-designed frameworks for use in scrapbooking, in both solitary and social settings. As this invention is classified as a “game”, in can be used in competitive environments and gatherings, but it can also be effectively used in non-competitive environments and gatherings, or by lone individuals as well.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to game of prompts and pre-designed variables that provide inspiration to scrapbookers that can be played both physically and virtually. It is set up in what might be referred to as a traditional board game format, with a playing board with marked squares, individual playing pieces for each player to mark their location and progress on the marked squares, and various playing accessories such as dice and cards with written instructions for the players to follow, as applicable, in either designing their scrapbooking layouts, or in interacting with other players.

The basic version of play involves a player rolling the dice, and then moving their respective playing piece clock-wise around the board, the number of marked squares corresponding to the resulting number of pips displayed on the dice. The player then follows the directions either contained on or referenced by the marked square where their playing piece comes to rest. Upon receiving the respective directions, the next player performs the same sequence while the first player is engaged in executing the directions received. Each player plays in similar fashion until all players have so moved their pieces and received their corresponding directions, at which time play proceeds in the order in which the players complete their received directions.

Virtual versions of play may or may not include the image of the traditional board, and may include variations of play style.

Individual play can include the use of the traditional board, and may also only make use of various combinations of the cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown an exemplary embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the game board in accordance with the present invention showing a travel path;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one of the clear sleeves that are affixed over given spaces on the travel path, shown with a representative “Joey Challenge” card for perspective;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stack of “Joey Challenge” cards utilized during game play;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a stack of “Sketch” cards utilized during game play;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stack of “Color Palette” cards utilized during game play;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a stack of “Recipe” cards utilized during game play;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a stack of “Crop Challenge” cards utilized during game play;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stack of “Free Choice” cards utilized during game play;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a representative game-piece;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a representative token;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a six-sided game die; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a 12-sided game die.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a board game of scrapbooking challenges. The invention type is a manufactured article, design, and method. This detailed description of the invention makes use of the following definitions:

Challenge: Predetermined guidelines that a Player must follow when completing a scrapbooking Layout that include one or more of the following: color, style, pattern, quantity, theme, concept, idea, techniques, embellishments, etc.

Challenge Requirement: The individual elements that make up the challenge.

Crop Challenge: A specialized scrapbooking challenge that is socially interactive in nature as opposed to stipulating the required elements of a layout.

Sketch Challenge: A specialized scrapbooking challenge that provides a player with an outlined diagram of a layout designating certain elements such as the size, location, and quantity of certain elements that the player must follow in creating a scrapbooking layout leaving undesignated elements up to the player's discretion.

Color Palette: A combination of a picture and a set of colors derived from the picture, used by a player as a prompt or requirement in the completion of a player's layout, in accordance with the instructions found on the player's selected Recipe Card, which could include, but is not limited to the colors, textures, patterns, or quantities depicted on the color palette, or the emotions evoked by the color palette.

Prompt: An object or suggestion from which a player may derive inspiration for any aspect of a scrapbooking layout.

Recipe: A set of elements that make up the requirements for the completion of a layout.

Difficulty Ratings: The difficulty rating of a challenge is determined by the complexity and quantity of the elements found in that challenge's requirements. Easier challenges are those that require fewer elements, and elements of a more simplistic nature. Harder challenges are those that require more elements, and elements of a more complex nature. A challenge's difficulty rating increases as the elements included in the challenge's requirements require more skill, effort, time, and/or creativity to complete. For example, the requirement to use a 10-inch piece of ribbon anywhere on a layout would be easier than the requirement to make a flower out of a 10-inch piece of ribbon.

Joey Challenges: The cards that slide into the clear sleeves covering the color family spaces on the game board.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral 14 denotes generally a scrapbooking board game in accordance with this invention. The board game 14 includes a game board 15, as illustrated in FIG. 1, having a substantially smooth planar surface bearing a pattern on one face thereof which defines a travel path 16. The travel path 16 is segregated into spaces or stations 17, including stations associated with designated color families 27, over which are affixed clear sleeves 18, as illustrated in FIG. 2, for the insertion and removal of various “Joey Challenge” cards 19, which are illustrated in FIG. 3.

The game board 14 is further divided into eight color families 27, differentiated from each other on the game board 15 surface by Arabic numerals 1 through 8, and which can be further differentiated from each other by specific colors, either by way of coloring or tinting the clear sleeves 18, or by placing colored material either inside or underneath the clear sleeves 18, or by any other specific method of specifying colors, either permanently or temporarily.

The game board 14 further includes spaces 17 along the travel path 16 designated as “Recipe Challenge” spaces 31, “Crop Challenge Card” spaces 32, “Sketch Challenge” spaces 33, and an “On Your Markers” space 34, which said “On Your Markers” space 34 also functions as a “Sketch Challenge” space 33 during game play.

Further, the game board 14 includes a color wheel 25 with penalty spinner 35, located in the center area of the game board 14, interior to the travel path 16 around the outer edge of the game board 14. This color wheel 25 is divided into multiple segments, with this typical embodiment of the game being divided into 12 equal segments. Each segment may depict, display, or reflect a number of various types of scrapbooking elements, with this typical embodiment displaying the elements of color and type of embellishment. The penalty spinner 35 is affixed to the center of the color wheel 25, and is able to spin around the color wheel 25 when moved by a player.

The game apparatus also includes a game-piece 22, illustrated in FIG. 9. In this typical embodiment, there are four game-pieces 22, each being a unique color for differentiation.

Movement of the game-piece 22 is determined primarily by the throw of the six-sided die 23, illustrated in FIG. 11.

If a player's game-piece 22 lands on a “Recipe Challenge” space 31, that player selects a “Recipe” card 20, illustrated in FIG. 6, and follows the instructions and/or prompt displayed on that card. If a player's game-piece 22 lands on a “Sketch Challenge” space 33, that player selects a “Sketch” card 28, illustrated in FIG. 4, and follows the instructions and/or prompt displayed on that card. If a player's game-piece 22 lands on a color family space 27, that player follows the instructions and/or prompt displayed on the “Joey Challenge” card 19 contained in the clear sleeve 18 that overlays color family space 27 on which the player's game-piece 22 has landed. If a player's game-piece 22 lands on a “Crop Challenge Card” space 32, that player selects a “Crop Challenge” card 21, illustrated in FIG. 7, and follows the instructions and/or prompt displayed on that card.

The 12-sided die 24, illustrated in FIG. 12, is primarily utilized in conjunction with the color wheel 25, such that when a player is directed by the games rules to spin the penalty spinner 35 on the color wheel 25, that player also rolls the 12-sided die 24. The result of the spin of the penalty spinner 35 on color wheel 25, said result being the displayed contents of whichever segment on which the penalty spinner 35 comes to rest upon ceasing to spin, determines the type(s) of scrapbooking element(s), and the result of the roll of the 12-sided die 24 determines the quantity of that or those same scrapbooking element(s) so designated by the result of the spin of the penalty spinner 35.

The game apparatus also includes a token 26, illustrated in FIG. 10. In this typical embodiment of the game, there are 128 tokens 26, with a set of 32 each in four unique colors, with each of the four unique colors corresponding to one of the four unique colors of the typical game-pieces 22. These tokens 26 are used to mark a given player's completion of the directions reflected on the “Joey Challenge” card 19 displayed on any given color family space 27, or the corresponding “Recipe” card 20 subsequently selected after a player's game-piece lands on a “Recipe Challenge” space 31, on which that player's game-piece 22 has landed, in accordance with the game rules.

This typical embodiment of the game apparatus further includes a plurality of game cards, some of which have been heretofore preliminarily introduced, namely, “Joey Challenge” cards 19, “Recipe” cards 20, “Crop Challenge” cards 21, and “Sketch” cards 28; and two (2) of which are hereby introduced, namely, “Color Palette” cards 29, illustrated in FIG. 5.; and “Free Choice” cards 30, illustrated in FIG. 8.

Further, with regards to the “Joey Challenge” cards 19, the “Recipe” cards 20, the “Crop Challenge” cards 21, and the “Free Choice” cards 30, each of the cards bears a message. The “Joey Challenge” cards 19 provide the player with a single stipulated element for a scrapbooking layout, the “Recipe” cards 20 provide the player with a set of multiple elements for a scrapbooking layout, the “Crop Challenge” cards 21 provide the player with directions for a specified interaction with another player, and the “Free Choice” cards 30 provide the player with the option to move that player's respective game-piece 22 to any space 17 on the travel path 16 as that player so desires. More specifically, and by way of example, the “Joey Challenge” cards 19 include, but are not limited to the following typical messages:

Use a Monogram on Your Layout

Use an Animal or Animal Print on Your Layout

Use a Song as Inspiration! Include a line, lyrics, or title as part of the Layout

With regard to the “Recipe” cards 20, the following are typical messages:

Two Page Layout—Five or More Photos—Die Cut Title—Something that Sparkles—Banner

Color Palette Card—Three Colors—Five or More Photos—Frame One or More Photos—Hand Stitching—Bling—Twine or Ribbon

Chipboard—Ribbon—Chevrons—Flowers—Three or More Photos

With regard to the “Crop Challenge” cards 21, the following are typical messages:

Look at other players' pages, and use an idea on your next page.

Collect a small embellishment from another player.

Offer to share a tool with another player.

Each of the “Free Choice” cards 30 bear the same exemplary message, namely:

Move to any space on the board!—(You may use this card at any time)

Further, with regards to the “Sketch” cards 28 and the “Color Palette” cards 29, each of these cards bears a picture—the “Sketch” cards 28 provide the player with a picture outlining design elements of a scrapbooking layout, and the “Color Palette” cards 29 provide the player with a picture presenting specified color elements for a scrapbooking layout.

General Rules of Play

The game is played according to the unique set of Instructions, Suggestions, and Rules of Play (rules), said rules alterable all-inclusively by individual players, the patent owner, and any authorized licensees. The game is intended for play by from single individuals to an unlimited number of participants. In typical group play by two or more individuals, all cards (19, 20, 21, 28, 29, and 30) are kept either on or near the game board 14, sorted in piles by their unique card types, and each player selects a unique game-piece 22. If more than four players are playing, there are multiple options for additional game-pieces, including that players may provide their own game-pieces not provided with or by the game, or they may acquire additional game-pieces 22 in additional unique colors.

Game Set Up

Insert one “Joey Challenge” card 19 into each clear sleeve 18 on the game board 14. Keep all other card types (20, 21, 28, 29, and 30), face down on or near the game board 14, in individual stacks, according to their unique card type. Place all players' game-pieces 22 on the “On Your Markers” space 34. Give each player the set of 32 tokens 26 that corresponds to the color of each individual player's game-piece 22.

Play

The initial play is turn-based, with one player selected to go first, with all other subsequent players taking their individual turns consecutively, until all players have taken their initial turn. On a player's turn, the player rolls the six-sided die 23, moves his or her game-piece 22 the number of spaces 17 according the result of the roll of the six-sided die 23, moving clockwise around the travel path 16 of the game board 14. Upon a player's game-piece 22 coming to rest on a space 17 at the end of the movement of that player's game-piece 22, that player must either scrapbook a layout that fulfills the challenge requirement(s) displayed on the space 17 on which he or she lands, if that space 17 contains specific challenge requirements, or draw a card of the respective card type, if that space 17 does not contain specific challenge requirements, and follow the instructions displayed on the drawn card. Once those challenge requirements have been met, the player places one of his or her tokens 26 on the completion strip 36 directly above the color family space 27, “Recipe Challenge” space 31, or “Crop Challenge Card” space 32 corresponding to the completed challenge.

The first player to complete the challenge for any given color family space 27 “owns” that space. The player then rolls the six-sided die 23 again, and continues to move clock-wise around the travel path 16 in accordance with the result of each roll. After the initial round of turn-based play, all subsequent turns are performed as a player's layouts or game instructions are completed, without any specific order of play. Each player simply takes another turn after completing any given challenge. Once a color family space 27 is “owned”, any player who lands on that space must spin the penalty spinner 35, and roll the 12-sided die 24. The 12-sided die 24 determines the quantity of the item(s) indicated by the penalty spinner 35 that must added to the challenge requirements reflected on the color-family space 27 on which that player's game-piece 22 has landed. In other words, that player must complete a layout that meets both the requirements of the “Joey Challenge” card 19 contained in the color-family space 27 and the additional requirement resulting from the roll of the 12-sided die 24 and the spin of the penalty spinner 35, in order to complete that challenge. Once that challenge has been completed, that player stacks one of their tokens 26 on top of any other token(s) 26 already there.

Example: A player lands on a color family space 27, the challenge listed on the corresponding “Joey Challenge” card 19 is “Do a Monochromatic Layout”, and someone already owns that color-family space 27. The player whose game-piece 22 has landed on that color family space 27 has to spin the penalty spinner 35, and roll the 12-sided die 24. The 12-sided die 24 roll results in “9”, and the spin of the penalty spinner 35 stops on a segment of the color wheel 35 displaying the word “Brads.” That player then has to do a monochromatic layout, and use nine (9) brads on that layout, in order to complete the challenge.

If a player game-piece 22 lands on a “Recipe Challenge” space 31, that player must draw a “Recipe” card 20, and include every element listed on the drawn card on a layout in order to complete the challenge. If the “Recipe” card 20 includes using a sketch and/or color palette, the player must also draw the respective “Sketch” and/or “Color Palette” cards (28 and 29), and include the elements listed on those cards in their layout in order to complete the challenge.

If a player lands on a “Crop Challenge Card” space 32, that player must draw a “Crop Challenge” card 21, and follow the instructions on the drawn card. The “Crop Challenge” cards 21 are meant to encourage interaction with other scrapbookers, and foster closer friendships with those with whom players are scrapbooking.

After a player completes a challenge, that player replaces any drawn card(s) to the bottom of the respective card pile(s).

“Free Choice” cards 30 are earned by the first player to complete all of the challenges within a given color family 27, all of the “Recipe Challenge” spaces 31, or all of the “Crop Challenge Card” spaces 32. A player that earns a “Free Choice” card 30 may use the card to move that player's game-piece 22 to any space on the board. “Free Choice” cards 30 may be used immediately upon being earned, or they may be held and used at a later time.

Super Challenge: Each set of three (3) challenges within a given color family 27 represents a “Super Challenge”, said Super Challenges being considered completed by the first player to complete all three (3) challenges within that given color family 27. A player does not have to “own” any of the spaces within the color family 27 in order to complete the Super Challenge for that color family 27. Only the first player to complete all three (3) Challenges in a single color family 27 is considered to have completed the Super Challenge, even if additional players later complete all three (3) challenges within that color family 27.

Super Recipe Challenge: The Super Recipe Challenge is considered to be completed by the first player to complete each of the four (4) “Recipe Challenge” spaces 31 on the board (one on each side). Only the first player to complete all four (4) “Recipe Challenge” spaces 31 is considered to have completed the Super Recipe Challenge, even if additional players later complete all four (4) “Recipe Challenge” spaces 31.

Super Crop Challenge: The Super Crop Challenge is completed by the first player to complete each of the four (4) “Crop Challenge Card” spaces 32 on the board (one on each side). Only the first player to complete all four (4) “Crop Challenge Card” spaces 32 is considered to have completed the Super Crop Challenge, even if additional players later complete all four (4) “Crop Challenge Card” spaces 32.

The end of game play may be determined by any method the players choose, including a specified time limit or number of challenges completed. If all the challenges are completed and the players still want to continue playing, new “Joey Challenge” cards 19 can be inserted in the color family spaces 27, and game play can continue.

Individual Play

There are a great deal of prompts in this game, and while sitting at a small space may not allow enough room for a single scrapbooker to set up the whole game board 15, an individual player can use the “Recipe” cards 20, “Joey Challenge” cards 19, “Sketch” cards 28, and/or “Color Palette” cards 29, and draw random cards or combinations of cards for inspiration.

Electronic App Version

There can also be an electronic version for players in an app medium with various set-up configurations, including:

Game Play 1—For set-up, players use their phone or tablet to take their own picture. This is made into a virtual “Scrapbooker” game-piece. Challenges for the board will be randomly distributed. When the player pushes the “roll die” button, a number will randomly be chosen, and the players' game-piece will be moved. The space landed on will be displayed on the screen, and the player will have the choice of “accept” or “skip” the challenge. A layout is completed with each challenge. When the player is done with their layout, the “roll” button is pressed, and play continues. If the player lands on a “Recipe Challenge” space, the recipe will be displayed. If the player lands on a “Sketch Space” the Sketch is displayed on the screen. Each time a new challenge is displayed, the player gets the choice of accepting or skipping the challenge. There are only 24 individual challenges on the board, outside of the sketches and recipe cards. If the player skips too many times, the game will recycle the challenges that have been skipped.

This version of game play is able to link play with other individuals who have the app. There will be an interactive board to view so you can see where other players are on the board, and what challenges and super challenges have been completed. There will be a place on this interactive version for players who have completed challenges to post a photo of their creation for others to see.

Game Play 2—This version allows players to choose use any or all of three decks of electronic cards, corresponding to the “Sketch”, “Recipe”, and “Joey Challenge” Cards (28, 20, and 19). There is no board, no interaction with other players, and no repeated challenges. Should the player choose to skip a challenge, they will be given a new one and will not be presented with the skipped challenge a second time in that session of game play.

Wall Mounted Version

This version of the game is the similar to the typical embodiment previously described, with the exception of the game board 15 being entirely magnetized and displayed vertically, so that all players can see the board from individual locations. There are mounting holes on one edge of the game board 15 (said mounting holes not depicted in the accompanying drawings), and the clear sleeves 18 snap into place over the color family spaces 27, opening facing up.

Travel Version

This is a miniature-sized board similar to the typical embodiment previously described, excepting that the “Crop Challenge” cards 21 and “Crop Challenge Card” spaces 32 are not included.

Website Version

Players can log in to play with other online players interactively, very much the same way as previously described in the app version, Game Play 1. There is a gallery for players to which they can upload their layouts, and a message board on which players can chat with each other.

Although the previously presented technology has been described with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosed technology is not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extends instead to all equivalents within the broad scope of this disclosure, drawings, and exhibit(s)/appendi(x)ces. 

Having thus described the invention, there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent:
 1. A method for playing a scrapbooking game with a singularity or plurality of players, said game including a substantially planar game board, said game having a pattern thereon defining a continuous travel path, said travel path being divided into a plurality of stations, at least some of said stations being color-designated stations, said color-designated stations being overlaid with clear sleeves for containing and displaying certain cards included in the game, said game including a plurality of cards each having a designated player instructions and/or prompts related to the activity defined herein as “scrapbooking”, a plurality of game-pieces, said game-pieces being adapted for movement within said stations, a plurality of tokens, said tokens being adapted for marking the completion of a unique set of instructions corresponding to given stations, a set of two dice having markings on its faces, with one die having six sides, and the second die having 12 sides, whereby a roll of either die will randomly provide an upturned face on each its face, comprising the steps of: a) placing cards inside the clear sleeves overlaid on the color-designated stations, b) each player selecting a uniquely colored game-piece, c) placing all players' game-pieces on a designated starting station on the game board, d) rolling said six-sided die to determine the extent of movement along the travel path of the player's game-piece, e) moving the game-piece the equivalent amount of stations represented by the numerical markings appearing on the respective upturned face of the six-sided die, and then f) completing the challenge presented by the corresponding instructions displayed on and/or referenced by the station to which said game-piece has been so moved, said instructions being partially or entirely comprised of elements and social interactions of the herein defined activity of “scrapbooking”, said elements including, but not limited to the style, color, material, quantity, technique, location, proximity, size, character, shape, relationship, and/or theme of various elements of a herein defined “scrapbooking layout”.
 2. A method for playing a scrapbooking game as claimed in claim 1 further including the step of: marking the completion of a given challenge, by use of the player's tokens.
 3. A method for playing a scrapbooking game as claimed in claim 1 further including a plurality of cards each having instructional messages and/or images that affect a player's herein defined activity of “scrapbooking” or social interaction, at least one of said stations being keyed to said cards, further including the step of: complying with the message thereon when a player's game-piece lands on a station keyed to a single individual card, and/or selecting a card and complying with the message thereon when a player's game-piece lands on a station keyed to a type or set of said cards.
 4. A method for playing a scrapbooking game as claimed in claim 1 further including a device or devices that randomly indicates single or multiple requirements that can be added to the messages associated with, contained in, or displayed on the previously described stations and/or cards for the purpose of increased the difficulty and/or complexity of a given message's compliance requirements. 